THERE is a popular trend amongst big name artists/groups during the advances stages of their careers to re-visit their own best known songs and re-work and re-present the material to their fans in a whole new light. This usually involves the music being given either a rockier edge, being jazzed up or, stripped back and pared down in an acoustic setting.

The reason for following this trend is often, if one is to be blunt and cynical, simply in order to fulfil a record company contractual obligation and also to ‘buy’ an artist/group some time whilst they are working on producing all-new material.

The alternative view as to why an artist would want to mess with their already hugely popular songs and instantly recognisable arrangements is because they themselves get bored with playing the songs in the same fashion year after year and, the belief that their fans want to hear new interpretations of their favourite songs that turned them on to the artist/group in the first place.

The project is always a risky affair for the artist/group concerned as the reaction from fans is not always wholly favourable and the artist/group run the risk of being critically mauled for taking the decision to tamper with material which, many often believe, should remain untouched.

If, however, they pull the whole thing off though, it can lead to a massive career resurgence, a huge boost to record sales and universal praise for the artist/group for being brave and having the vision to breathe fresh new life into old songs.

The latest artist to put his head ‘on the block’ by choosing to re-present songs from his much-loved and extensive back catalogue is Mr. Gordon Sumner, aka Sting.

His new studio album, ‘Symphonicities’ (Decca), comprises twelve of Sting’s most celebrated songs scored, as the title suggests, for symphonic arrangement. Sting is backed on all the tracks by the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as well as a small group of highly accomplished musicians – Dominic Miller (Sting’s long-time guitarist), Rhani Krija (his long-time multi genre percussionist), David Cossin (another percussion specialist), Jo Lawry (vocalist) and Ira Coleman (bassist).

Sting’s interest in collaborating with an orchestra began in 2008 following an invitation to perform with the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra and continued when he joined the Philadelphia Orchestra for a celebration of the 153rd anniversary of the Academy of Music with the singer stating that, “performing with these two orchestras was truly a highlight of my career.”

Sting has given the symphonic treatment to songs from The Police classic back catalogue(‘Roxanne’, ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ and ‘Next To You’) as well as compositions from his enduring solo career including the gorgeous ‘Englishman In New York’, the poignant ‘When We Dance’, ‘I Hung My Head’ and ‘She’s Too Good For Me’.

‘Symphonicities’ has been produced by Rob Mathes with Sting and overall, save for the odd dip, it’s a mighty impressive affair that should lend itself very well to a concert presentation on Sting’s upcoming grand European tour with The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, which pulls in Manchester for a performance at the MEN Arena on 4th October. Commenting on the tour Sting said, “I am looking forward to the concerts with undisguised glee, having a whole new palate of musical colours to work with and reinventing the songs that have been staples of my live performances for over thirty years.”

It promises to be a great night in Manchester.